LOCATION: Lower Bay, CBBT (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel)
SPECIES: Striped Bass
UPDATE: December 8, 2009
FISHING CONDITIONS: I am now fishing at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT). The fishing there has been improving and the schools of migrating striped bass that are feeding on flys are getting more consistently around 7 to 12 pounds. Occasional 20 plus pound fish are also being caught on fly. Larger fish are falling for live baits and as the temperatures fall they too will also start to eat flys. Deep sinking lines are the best and nearly the only way to catch these fish.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 50 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 57 Degrees
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker 
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:
- Large, heavy Clouser deep minnow pattern, Chartreuse and white
- Large bunker patterns and half and half’s
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 16 to 20 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate.
SPINNING REEL OUTFIT: Six foot, medium, fast action rod with reels loaded with braided line in 20 or 30 pound test. 3 to 4 foot Leader in matching test fluorocarbon.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Deep water technique is a must, with full sinking lines and half and half’s. On occasion you might also use a large bunker pattern effectively, but this is mostly when the fish are working closer to the surface.
COMMENTS: Lower bay fishing at the CBBT is the best bet for those of us that use fly and light tackle. The conditions are there with loads of structure, warmer waters, strong current and best of all bait that is found in large quantity make this the fishery for the winter.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Temperatures are falling, which will move more of the big fish to the CBBT from the mid bay. It only gets better from here.
